Business Developer

A Business Developer is responsible for establishing strategic partnerships and securing business opportunities to advance the company’s growth. They combine their passion for gaming with their business acumen to identify potential collaborations, negotiate deals and form alliances with other companies. They are actively looking for new ways to generate revenue, such as licensing agreements, distribution partnerships, or even mergers and acquisitions.

 

Furthermore, a Business Developer conducts market research to identify trends and evaluate competition, which enables them to make informed decisions about potential business ventures. They use their understanding of the market to present and promote their company’s products and services to potential partners or investors. They build and maintain relationships with video game publishers, platform representatives and technology partners, in order to explore opportunities for cooperation and stay abreast of developments in the gaming industry. Therefore, a Business Developer plays a key role in driving the strategic growth and financial success of a gaming company in a highly competitive and dynamic industry.

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Salesforce

Adobe Creative Suite

Google Analytics

Slack

Salesforce

Jira

Microsoft Word

COLLABORATION WITH OTHER TEAMS:

A Business Developer works closely with Game Designers to understand the creative vision and ensure the integration of business goals into the video game development process. Cooperation with Marketing teams contributes to the development of effective promotional strategies, targeting specific markets and researching opportunities for partnerships. They collaborate with both the Financial and Legal teams, and help them negotiate licensing agreements and investment agreements, paying particular attention to financial projections and legal aspects.

 

A Business Developer collaborates with various roles in the gaming industry to align business strategies with game development, devise effective marketing plans and negotiate business agreements. The cooperation of a Business Developer with developers, the Marketing team, Finance and Legal departments contributes to the overall success and growth of the gaming company by combining creative vision, market insight and strategic business knowledge.

Skills

This position is expected to be able to master, do and deliver the following:

Hard skills

  • Business development
    • Identifies and evaluates potential partnership opportunities, understands market trends, industry dynamics and revenue generation strategies.
  • Sales and negotiations
    • Presents products or services to potential partners, secures favorable business deals and manages complex contractual agreements.
  • Market analysis and research
    • Identifies the target audience and evaluates the competition, has developed analytical skills and the ability to collect and interpret data.

Soft skills

  • Communication and relationship building
    • Skilfully conveys their ideas, actively listens to others and fosters cooperation, possesses developed interpersonal skills.
  • Strategic thinking:
    • Thinks critically, analyzes data and assesses risks and potential outcomes to make informed decisions.
  • Adaptability and resilience
    • Is flexible and resilient, navigates challenges effectively, adapts strategies quickly, seizes new opportunities and learns from failure.

Seniority

Depending on seniority, this position is expected to be able to master, do and deliver the following:

Junior

  • Conducts market research, analyzes trends in the gaming industry, identifies the target audience and assesses competition.
  • Assists in the preparation of business proposals and presentations, gathers relevant information, creates visually appealing materials and conveys key ideas to investors.
  • Provides support in partnership negotiations, leads initial discussions, assists in contract revisions and contributes to the negotiation process supervised by mediors and seniors.
  • Collaborates with developers, the Marketing team, Financial and Legal departments, aligns business strategies and contributes to the project’s success.

Medior

  • Takes the lead in business development initiatives, identifies potential partnership opportunities, initiates and maintains partner relationships, and leads negotiations.
  • Develops and implements marketing strategies with the Marketing team, defines the target audience, positioning and messages, and analyzes market trends.
  • Analyzes the financial viability of potential partnerships and business ventures, evaluates revenue projections, cost structures and return on investment.
  • Mentors and guides juniors, shares knowledge from the gaming industry, provides feedback on their work and helps their professional development.

Senior

  • Develops and implements long-term strategic plans for company growth, possesses developed leadership skills, leads the business development team.
  • Forms partnerships with major publishers, platform representatives, or technology partners, successfully negotiates complex contracts and agreements.
  • Identifies and evaluates opportunities for market expansion in various regions, develops new market entry strategies and establishes partnerships and distribution channels.
  • Represents the company at gaming conferences, cultivates relationships with industry leaders and keeps up with trends, new technologies and regulatory changes.
BUSINESS DEVELOPER // BIZ SUPPORT //
BUSINESS DEVELOPER // BIZ SUPPORT //

EDUCATION:

If you are interested in pursuing a career in the gaming industry, consider an education that combines business fundamentals with a focus on video games and entertainment. A degree in business administration, marketing, entrepreneurship, or management with courses related to the gaming industry can provide you with an excellent foundation. Look for programs that cover topics such as strategic management, digital marketing, financial analysis, and business development, especially in the context of the video game market. Understanding the unique dynamics within the industry, including market trends, player behavior and monetization models, is critical to success in gaming business roles.

 

In addition to formal education, gaining practical experience through internships, networking and engagement in the industry is also important. Seek opportunities to work with companies to gain first-hand insight into business operations and industry-specific strategies. Participating in events, conferences and trade shows can also help you make connections and stay informed about industry developments. Developing analytical and communication skills as well as problem-solving skills will be a valuable asset in pursuing a career in this field.

Resources

Books

  • “The Business of Gaming” – David Wesley
  • “Video Game Marketing and PR: Vol. 1” – Scott Steinberg
  • “The Business of eSports” – William Collis, Brett Abarbanel
  • “Virtual Economies: Design and Analysis” – Vili Lehdonvirta, Edward Castronova
  • “Console Wars” – Blake J. Harris

Individuals

  • Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX)
  • David Dague (@DeeJ_BNG)
  • Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley)
  • Amy Hennig (@amy_hennig)
  • Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic)

What does the interview for this position look like?​

News

It's time for the fourth local b2b conference dedicated to the video game industry - FOR THE WIN! Although the event is intended primarily for professionals, like the previous two years, the completely free program of lectures will be open to beginners, juniors, university or high school students. You only need to register!
As the sun rises, casting its warm glow across the city, Game Developer awakens with a sense of excitement and purpose. Today is another opportunity to bring dreams to life, to create immersive experiences that will captivate players around the world. With a cup of coffee in hand, or in my case a cup of tea, we dive into the world of code, pixels, and endless possibilities.
We talked to over 20 seniors in Serbian gaming. When you watch these six episodes, it should be much clearer to you what you can and want to do in gaming. You'll learn all about the most in-demand professions, the latest tools and different positions in the industry.
BUSINESS DEVELOPER // BIZ SUPPORT //
BUSINESS DEVELOPER // BIZ SUPPORT //